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NEWS
Cavendish Road house
constructionConstruction has begun on this residential project in Brent. The strip out and demolition phases are now complete and underpinning of the existing structures are well under way.
Bethune Road house
planning approvedAfter a long hard battle with Hackney council, the design for our sunken courtyard house has finally been approved.
The council have approved the proposal for this complex parcel of land and cited an appropriate design which_
'thoughtfully mitigates the visual impact and overshadowing of neighbouring properties creating an appropriate architectural solution'.
Sessay cricket pavilion
competitionOur proposal for the Sessay pavilion is a simple elegant mark extending across the site, unifying the various functions along its east and west axis. It is a low lying structure, welcomingly permeable and boldly identifiable.
This approach relates to the overall architecture from its aesthetics to construction methodology and sustainability strategy. Providing an elegant solution for a complex brief and allowing the entire community to enjoy a naturally ventilated, low maintenance and adaptable building for generations to come.
Urban Realm Improvements_Phase 01
completeDue to the steepness of the sites topography, several cut and fill options were explored in order to minimise the amount of spoil produced. This process facilitated an optimised solution adopted by the contractor and established a clear approach for construction sequencing.
Church End Residential
planningOur proposal for this new build flatted development examines a series of evolving massing strategies for a challenging parcel of land situated at the end of a tight lane bound by various conflicting neighbouring uses.
We have researched how fragmenting a singular block impacts the quality and quantity of amenity, views, and light and ventilation levels. Our solution favours wrapping around the perimeter of the site thereby maximising the usable central landscape resulting in a scheme which demonstrates high levels of qualitative and quantitative efficiency.
Wembley Residential
planningThe design intent is to avoid a homogeneous linear building volume dominating the streetscape and instead creating a proposal which is characterised as much by its solid mass as the voids defining them. Thereby, reflecting the existing street scape and moving towards a design with a distinctive sense of place.
The traditional Victorian Villas found throughout London, pose a suitable starting point. These solid cubed volumes broken by generous gaps create the sense of identity and qualities suitable for 3 smaller residential blocks.
Chyne New School
competitionOur interpretation for the brief at Chyne looks to create a simple and elegant solution to a growing town catering to the evolving needs of a small community. The brief clearly looks for not only a school but a civic structure with a series of uses that can easily adapt to different users at varying times of the day and year.
We have broken the brief down into a family of buildings all able to function independently or as a group, tied together by the landscape, external spaces and a unifying roof sheltering the whole site.
Cavendish Road house
planningOur recently submitted design proposal retains the existing architectural features which make up the rear façade of the building. They are not listed, of heritage status or necessarily affected by the conservation area status. They do however form a key characteristic of the rear façade and as such we are keen on incorporating them sympathetically into our design philosophy for the benefit of the occupants, neighbours and the natural evolution of this building type and site.
Urban Realm Improvements
on-siteThe first phase of urban realm Improvements in Manor House is now underway.
We have taken the time to study and understand the local’s use of the public space. This has allowed us to make a more qualified decision about how to create an outcome which is beneficial for everyone, from car drivers to cyclists and pedestrians.
Bethune Road house
planningWe have recently submitted a design for a new build sunken house in Hackney. The design resolves the awkward site geometry and potential for a southerly main aspect by proposing a courtyard typology. The single storey, 3 bedroom house creates an intimate courtyard house with excellent daylight levels and natural ventilation throughout the home.
Notting Hill Apartment
completionWe have recently completed this commission for an internal remodel of a studio in Notting Hill. The furniture dimensions guided the design of the overall project. The brief asked for a studio to be converted into 1 bed apartment whilst still maximising the living space. The efficiency of the design allowed us to minimise the space requirement of the bedroom yet still creating a pleasant sleeping environment.
Lordship Road residential
planningWe are in the process of designing a two storey extension to this existing residential block in Manor House. The existing building consists of x16 no. 3 bed flats, the extension will look to maximise the block density and improve the vertical circulation by building out 2 new lift shafts.
Holland Park Apartment
completionWe have recently completed the full refurbishment of this apartment at the heart of Kensington and Chelsea. The tired and ill-conceived 1 bed layout has been gutted and re-planned to create an efficient two bedroom property. Where possible the existing period features have been retained and enhanced while the rest of the property has been treated with a bold but minimalistic touch.
Salford Meadows Bridge
competitionSalford City Council is seeking to deliver a new landmark pedestrian bridge over the River Irwell, connecting The Crescent (A6) with The Meadows park.
The Meadows sits along a key corridor, at the historic core of Salford. Home to
the University of Salford it also contains some of Salford’s most important listed and historic buildings along with The Crescent Conservation Area.The new bridge link forms an important component of a wider package of connections to be delivered through the Irwell River Park known as the Middlewood Loop.
Yacoubian Architects website has been shortlisted by CSSA & CSS design awardswhich supports and showcases emerging talents in the web design field. Well done to framestart and thanks for all the hard work, it was worth it in the end.
http://www.cssawards.net/nominees/
http://www.cssdesignawards.com/css-web-design-award-nominees.phpGreat Fen Visitor Centre
competitionThe aim of the visitor centre is to showcase the regeneration of more than 3,000ha of largely arable land which will be transformed into a mosaic of habitats spanning the next 50 - 100 years.
Key to our concept is the construction methodology; substantial cost savings are achieved by developing an innovative cassette system made of hay insulation and thatched rainscreen cladding, all tied together by a prefabricated glulam structural system. Repetition allows for a highly crafted finish, utilising local labour and skills thereby creating a design which is historically and culturally rooted.
Mews House, Shepherd's Bush
designYacoubian Architects are appointed to produce the design for a new 1 bed vertical home in Shepherd's Bush. The scheme forms the end of a tight mews and the reduced plot size lends itself to open plan vertical living.
The scheme will achieve a high quality finish within a tight budget. The envelope is formed from Structural insulated panels with brick rainscreen and a sculptural prefabricated internal layout.
Kingswood school, Tallaght co Dublin
post primary school department of education & skillsA once systematic approach to learning has been transformed globally as new pedagogies emerge to increase the levels of how we learn, communicate and manage knowledge. There is an increasing need to create sophisticated teaching and learning environments which can be increasingly seen in education facilities throughout Europe.
The Kingswood school in Co Dublin was a competition which Yacoubian Architects took part in and addresses these key issues for schools of the future.
House design, Islington
new appointmentYacoubian Archietcts are appointed by a private client to produce a design for a new 2 bed open plan home in islington. The scheme will be predominantely set below ground due to conservation issues in the area.
Residential Scheme Lebanon
new appointmentYacoubian Archietcts are appointed by a private developer in Lebanon to produce a design for a high end apartment block in Broummana.
Yacoubian Architects is a studio-based practice underpinned by a belief that high quality design projects are only realized through design excellence, budget & programme control facilitated through strong communication between client, consultants, contractors & end users. They work closely together to ensure the best results are achieved through a synthesis of concept, beauty and functional integration. The practice is driven by a consistent studied & rational approach not a predetermined house style. As a result it aims to create specifically detailed buildings that are intricately connected to their context & function
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STUDIO
STUDIO 104, 242 ACKLAM ROAD
WESTBOURNE STUDIOS
LONDON, W10 5JJ
info@yacoubianarchitects.com
+44 7917701882© Yacoubian Architects 2013.
co reg. number: 08104660
THE STUDIO
Yacoubian Architects is a young and vibrant studio-based practice underpinned by the beliefs that great projects are realised by continually striving for a synergy between design excellence, the process of building and collaboration.
DESIGN: The practice is driven by a consistent studied & rational approach not a predetermined house style. As a result we aim to create specifically detailed buildings that are intricately connected to their context & function.
PEOPLE: A successful built environment is rooted
in the creation of spaces and places for people that cater and respond to their varying and complex needs nurturing inclusive environments for a better life.
COLLABORATION: Successful buildings develop from successful relationships. We believe in working closely with our clients, consultants & makers of buildings to ensure the best results are achieved through a synthesis of concept, beauty and functional integration.
SUSTAINABILITY: Sustainability is a core process encouraged and integrated into the design philosophy of every project from conception to completion.
Our practice does not specialise in particular building types. We consider our specialism to be high quality architecture and enjoy having a broad range of projects in the office; it is our conscious decision to keep working on the smaller and larger scales both simultaneously allowing various sectors and scales to inform each other creating a greater source of influence and a richer outcome.
SERVICES
ARCHITECTURE:
Designing and managing projects of all scales. Guiding clients through the design, design development, planning building control and contract administration phases.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT:
A flexible and highly bespoke service working alongside our clients, we adopt a value-driven approach to defining and articulating business and project objectives before identifying the most effective means to deliver.
Regardless of the scale or complexity of a project, we employ and refine our systems and processes to provide control, governance and transparency from inception to completion. At the point of every decision we make on behalf of our clients, we challenge the status quo and work diligently to find the smartest, most efficient and most cost effective solution.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLUS:
A unique service specifically tailored to clients who have strongly defined design ideas and require full project management services with minimal design guidance and / or support.
ABOUT
Roupen Yacoubian founded Yacoubian Architects in 2012 following ten years of designing and managing high profile projects both in the UK & ME for global design practices Aedas Architects & Sheppard Robson Architects.
He has a strong & versatile record of projects realised over the past decade ranging in scales, sectors and locations, attested by successfully running projects up to £ 90 million for clients such as Saudi Oger, Hutchison Whampoa, Abu Dhabi investment Council & Venus Group. This experience has given him the tools required in order to set up a successful practice based out of London, UK.
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PROJECTS
PROJECTS BY SECTOR
Civic & Culture
Education
Hotels
Housing & Mixed Use
Masterplanning & Unesco
Product Design
Workplace
PROJECTS BY REGION
Africa
Americas
Asia
Australasia
Europe
Middle East
UK
other
PROJECTS BY REGION
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EMAIL
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FTP
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BRAINDRAIN
Braindrain is a way of engaging with our thought process.
It holds our shelved projects, projects our collaborators are undertaking or just ideas we have read, written or found that tickle us.
Feel free to view them online or download and peruse them later.
Tall Buildings part 3
Londoners' views on tall buildingsPublic perceptions
In February 2014 NLA and Ipsos MORI conducted a survey into Londoners' views on tall buildings in the capital, defined as buildings over 20 storeys high. 500 people from across London gave their views.
53% of Londoners said that whether a tall tower looks right in relation to its surroundings should be given highest priority when deciding whether or not it should be built in London. Whether it has a good design was next priority at 35%, while only 11% said that how tall it is should be the most important factor.
Only 27% of Londoners would be happy to live in a tall building, while 60% of Londoners would be happy to work in a tall building.
46% of Londoners agree that tall buildings have made London look better, 25% disagree.
The Gerkin at 36% and the Shard at 22% were chosen as the towers Londoners liked best when asked to select from a list of 13 tall buildings.
32% of Londoners agree there are currently too many tall towers in London,40% disagreed
Over the next 5 years, 37% of Londoners would like to see fewer new tall buildings than were built in the last 5 years, 33% would like to see about the same number, and 26% would like to see more.
31% agree that enough is done to control the number of tall buildings built in London, 26% disagree.
'That as a matter of policy the objectives of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, as enumerated in the letter to the Lord Mayor dated 28th August 1956. namely that there should be created in the Barbican area, "a genuine neighbourhood incorporating schools, shops, open spaces and other amenities, even if this means fore going a more remunerative return on the land" be accepted.
Resolution put to the Court of Common Council of the Corporation of London, 19 September 1957.
Beton Brut
A visual study of brutalismBrutalist buildings usually are formed with repeated modular elements forming masses representing specific functional zones, distinctly articulated and grouped together into a unified whole. Concrete, brick, glass and stone are all used for there raw and unpretentious honesty. Another common theme in Brutalist designs is the exposure of the building's functions—ranging from their structure and services to their human use.
The Great Estate
The rise and fall of the council houseBBC documentary: August 2011
Built as an antidote to London's disease and crime-ridden victorian slums, the ground breaking flats that made inter-war Liverpool the envy of Europe, the high rise estate in Sheffield that has become the largest listed building in the world, and the estate built on the banks of the Thames that was billed as 'the town of the 21st century'.
To be supremely unemotional, a house or home can and should be considered a money-making asset to avoid overpaying & all associated risks.
The most comprehensive set ideas of how to value such assets has been developed in connection with the stock market. The value of a share is its Net Present Value, i.e. the value of all expected future earnings from the share, discounted for risk, for financing costs, and for time-preference. Since no-one knows what the risks, etc, are, stock analysts fall back on rules of thumb:
COMING SOON...Ani
the city of 1001 churchesԱնի. 1001 եկեղեցիների քաղաքը
A thesis produced by Roupen Yacoubian examining the ruins of Ani and there relevance to local, regional & proto gothic architecture.
Tall Buildings part 2
Discussing London's shardRenzo Piano Architect
A thoughtful and provocative discussion about the shard and a wider discussion on tall buildings place in the UK & Europe. "Architects don’t change the world but they celebrate the change of the world"
Need an architect?
the basicsThe following are documents produced by the Royal Institute of British Architects for the benefit of prospective clients. They outline how an architect can help you with your project as well as the general role an architect plays in the built environment.
Alternatively you could just call us for a chat.
Commissioning Architecture.pdf
Tall Buildings
A short analysis of what this meansSkyscraper Pronunciation
skaɪˌskreɪ.pər//-pɚ/ [C]Definition
A very tall modern building, usually in a cityDefinition of skyscraper
Noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University PressThe following reports are evidence papers outlining cost, design, context and case studies with regarding to tall structures.
COST
cost analysis by Davis Langdon
DESIGN
guidance on tall building design
CONTEXT
FUTURE
Berlin | Frankfurt | New York | Paris | London: tall building strategy
Eclecticism in Beirut
Giancarlo De CarloFor the Central District in Beirut, De Carlo designed a residential block that reinterprets the eclecticism of Lebanese architecture.
Vitruvius 10 Books on Architecture
De Architectura libri decem: The education of the Architect"In all matters, but particularly in architecture, there are these two points:- the thing signified, and that which gives it its significance. That which is signified is the subject of which we may be speaking; and that which gives significance is a demonstration on scientific principles. It appears, then, that one who professes himself an architect should be well versed in both
directions. He ought, therefore, to be both naturally gifted and amenable to instruction. Neither natural ability without instruction nor instruction without natural ability can make the perfect artist. Let him be educated, skilful with the pencil, instructed in geometry, know much history, have followed the philosophers with attention, understand music, have some knowledge of medicine, know the opinions of the jurists, and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of the heavens".
The Value of Design
what do people really think?People work more productively in well designed offices
Agree 77% | Disagree 7%Well designed schools improve children’s education
Agree 70% | Disagree 17%The design of hospitals makes no difference to how fast patients recover
Agree 29% | Disagree 52%
How streets look and feel makes no real difference to crime
Agree 22% | Disagree 66%
Are you a Developer?
Read on...Simply put: Developers purchase land or existing buildings with the aim of creating new or refurbished homes, offices, or commercial developments.
The following documents are a resource produced to help guide & inform all parties involved in our shared built environment.
Design and access statements: how to read, write and use them
Space in new homes:what residents think
Who is Le Corbusier?
Vers une architectureThe contemporary trends of eclecticism and art deco, were replaced with architecture that was meant to be more than a stylistic experiment; rather, an architecture that would fundamentally change how humans interacted with buildings. This new mode of living derived from a new spirit defining the industrial age, demanding a rebirth of architecture based on function and a new aesthetic based on pure form. 1923.
Oscar Niemeyer
Endangered site in TripoliInternational Fair of Tripoli, Lebanon, by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer under threat in response to plans to turn the site into a theme park. & 100 of the world's most endangered sites.